ONE of a town's leading citizens from the last century has been honoured with a commemorative plaque.

And another eminent figure is due to be recognised in the same way today.

A plaque in honour of Amos Hinton was unveiled by his great-grandson, Patrick Hinton, at the HSBC Bank, in Corporation Road, in Middlesbrough, on Friday.

Mr Hinton founded the chain of grocery stores which bore his name, opening his first shop in South Street, St Hilda's.

He purchased the shop in Corporation Road, where the plaque is now sited, in 1890.

Mr Hinton is the latest to be recognised by the Middlesbrough Heritage Group, which has already mounted plaques honouring Jack Hatfield, Brian Clough, Joseph Constantine, Frank Elgee, the Reverend Lacy and Cyril Smith.

The next on its list is the Reverend Isaac Benson, who served as vicar of Middlesbrough for 24 years.

Middlesbrough's Mayor, Councillor Patricia Walker, held a tea party in the mayor's parlour for descendants of the Hinton family, HSBC staff and members of the Heritage Group prior to the ceremony.

Born in Tring, Hertfordshire, in 1844, Mr Hinton was a town councillor, alderman and magistrate, as well as a Poor Law Guardian and a prominent leader in the Temperance Movement.

In 1886, he became the first mayor to be installed in the newly built Town Hall.